Mourinho Wins Power Struggle In Madrid

Jose Mourinho has won an important power battle in Madrid as Real Madrid’s director general Jorge Valdano is expected to leave at the end of the season.

The departure of may Valdano will give Mourinho complete control over this summer’s signings, a process that is already under way.

Real Madrid have already signed midfielder Nuri Sahin from Borussia Dortmund and, on Monday, are expected to announce the capture of his international team-mate Hamit Altintop.

The versatile 28-year-old who can play at full-back or in midfield has only started three games from Bayern Munich this season and will leave for a nominal fee because he has just one year left on his contract.

Altintop shares an agent with Mesut Ozil, and with Sami Khedira would mean that Mourinho has signed four players from the Bundesliga.

Real Madrid are then expected to turn their attention towards he signing of a big-name striker. Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente remains Mourinho’s No1 target, but Madrid would need to recoup money on Kaka and possibly Karim Benzema to finance the €40m (£35m) move.